Annual Meeting Notes (April 10, 2017):  (Board responses in italics.)

Review of Finances:

▪ Members in attendance were able to review a spreadsheet of all revenues and expenses for 2016.

▪ The cost for landscaping and common ground maintenance was questioned. Common ground maintenance costs about $6700 annually. Our contract was reviewed and appears to be competitive, but we can always rebid in the future. We have been pleased with our current contractor and his quick responses after major storms.

▪ Homeowners expressed an interest in entirely new plantings to be placed at the entrance monument.

▪ Can we decorate the island for Christmas?  We’d need volunteers to decorate or pay a company to decorate for us.

▪ Cost for storage locker, $480/yr? This price was reviewed last year, and it is the best local price for a ground-level storage locker.

▪ Is the website being used? While the Facebook page is very popular, there is still traffic on the neighborhood website: www.hidden-oaks.com. Please continue to invite new neighbors to our Facebook page when you meet them.

▪ What is the collection fee? This is the fee charged by City and Village to collect and maintain our revenues as well as pay expenses on our behalf.

Voting:

▪ Vince Ratchford was elected to the City Council for Ward 3. As a result, he resigned from the Hidden Oaks board. Congratulations, Vince!

▪ Meghan Haynes was nominated and elected to serve the remaining one year of Vince’s term.

▪ Rich Siemons’ term expired, and he is retiring.

▪ Angela Layman was nominated and elected to serve a new, two-year term on the board.

▪ Thank you to Angela and Meghan for serving!

Report by Council Member Laurie Feldman:

▪ In large part due to the Streets of St. Charles, Ward 3 is leading the city in growth.

▪ A Hilton “Tru” hotel is being built next to QT.

▪ Thank you to our terrific police and fire departments. They constantly attend  in-services to better prepare them to serve.

Brad Temme (Asst. City Engineer):

▪ The Convention Center Blvd. Extension (the project formerly known as the Fairgrounds Extension) is a $5.1 million or $5.7 million project depending on options. The county is funding 80% of the project; the city is funding 20%. The project presents difficulties with grading. Residents expressed concern with increased traffic flow along Fairgrounds. Laurie is concerned with wildlife habitat destruction on the project; a tree line must be maintained to preserve habitat and prevent erosion.

▪ The I-70 + 5th Street interchange will be landscaped per approval by the City Council.

▪ The drainage culverts along South 5th Street between Hidden Oaks and Rio Vista will be replaced (with funding from Prop P). This will be a 4 month project that will involve the closing of South 5th between Hidden Oaks and Rio Vista. A detour up to Friedens will be involved. Bidding for the project will begin at the end of 2017 with actual construction to begin in early 2018. Water main upgrades will be included with this project.

▪ The city is aware of the poor condition of South 5th and has a long-range goal of rebuilding that stretch of street, but there is no immediate plan to do so in the near future. Funding for such a project does not exist in the city’s general fund at this time.

Report from Officer Nacke:

▪ Please call the police if you have any questions or concerns in the neighborhood. Do not hesitate. That’s what they are here for.

▪ Emergency: 911

▪ Non-emergency: (636) 949-3300

▪ Crime Stoppers: (636) 949-3333

▪ For broken-down cars parked on the street, call the police. They will contact the Community Development department about removing the vehicles.

▪ If residents are speeding in the neighborhood (especially with children around), call the police, and they will try to speak with the driver.

▪ There has been no noticeable uptick in crime with the addition of the Streets of St.Charles development. They have their own security and try to handle all non-criminal situations on their own.

▪ Residents did express frustration with the number of cars parked on the street while the driveways are empty. Please keep in mind that many homeowners do not like so many cars on the street.

Homeowner Discussion:

▪ We are still finding issues with dog owners not picking up after their pets and/or leashing their pets. Many residents are concerned about unleashed dogs taking off after people/other dogs.

▪ Solicitors in the neighborhood must have a permit issued by the city.

▪ After a discussion over the possibility of installing a “No Soliciting” sign at the entrance to the neighborhood (that may or may not deter solicitors), the sign was voted down.

“No Soliciting” decals for your homes are available. Please email the board if you are interested in one.

▪ If you have any concerns over the Rose Properties apartments, use the See Click Fix app to report them.

▪ Residents expressed concern with the city’s recent practice of using asphalt to repair concrete sidewalks.

▪ Please don’t blow your grass clippings into the street. It decreases the aesthetic value of the neighborhood and possibly makes a neighbor clean them up.

▪ Trash cans need to be stored behind the front plane of homes on non-collection days.

The board can send letters to offenders.

▪ Preliminary work has begun on creating a new, neighborhood directory. Do we want residents to be able to place ads in the directory?

▪ If residents would like to establish a welcoming committee for new homeowners and/or make welcome baskets for new arrivals, please contact the board to volunteer.